Some general notes and dates on Yoga

Schools

Orthodox Schools (recognize authority of Vedas): Nayaya (logic), Vaisheshika (atomist), Samkhya (enumeration), Yoga, Purva Mimamsa (Vedic exeggetic traditon, emphasis on ritual), Vedanta (also Utara Mimamsa).

Heterodox Schools: Jainism, Buddhism, and Carvaka.

Yogic Schools: Hatha, Karma, Jnana, Bhakti, Raja

Important Yogic People

Swami Vivekananda (1863-1902)

disciplines of Ramdrishna - prominent role in 1893 World Parliment of Religions.

Paramahamsa Yogananda (1893-1952)

revived Krya yoga in the West, "Autobiography of a Yogi" - influential. Lahiri Mahasaya taught Yogananda's teacher.

Sri Tirumalai Krishnamacharya (1888–1989)

founder of many modern schools of Hatha Yoga. Disciples include: B.K.S. Iyengar, Indra Devi, TKV Desikachar (son)

Yogi Swatmarama

important 15th - 16th century yogi. compiles the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, which introduces Hatha Yoga.

Adi Shamkara (788-820 ce)

consolidated Advaita Vedanta interpretation of Vedic scripture

Isvarakrsna (350-450 bc)

wrote Samkhya Karika

Major Dates and Texts

1750-500 bc. Vedic period

Vedas

Ancient texts from 1500-500 bc, Indian subcontinent. Considered "revealed" texts.

Upanisads

Hindu scriptures containing core teachings of the Vedantic period. Early upanishads date from 1000 bc.

Mahabarata (recorded in 5th century bc)

enormous epic poem (74,000 verses, almost 2 million words), tells stories from Vedic period. The core story of the work is that of a dynastic struggle for the throne of Hastinapura, the kingdom ruled by the Kuru clan. The two collateral branches of the family that participate in the struggle are the Kaurava and the Pandava. The Mahabharata itself ends with the death of Krishna, and the subsequent end of his dynasty, and ascent of the Pandava brothers to heaven. (fr. wiki)